
From the Organizer
5K – Saturday, November 14, 2026 9:15 a.m.
This is a timed event with several age/gender categories, and awards will be made for 1st to 3rd places, in each category. Surrounding festivities include the annual Veterans Day Parade, kids play area, and an all day music festival with food and beverage, including wine and beer. Parking is abundant in Dahlonega, and all safety precautions will be taken. Please visit (link) for further information and to register, or just buy a shirt and support our Ranger Vets.
10K – Saturday, November 14, 2026 9:00 a.m.
This is a timed event with several age/gender categories, and awards will be made for 1st to 3rd places, in each category. Surrounding festivities include the annual Veterans Day Parade, kids play area, and an all day music festival with food and beverage, including wine and beer. Parking is abundant in Dahlonega, and all safety precautions will be taken. Please visit (link) for further information and to register, or just buy a shirt and support our Ranger Vets.
Half Marathon (Mountain Marathon) Sunday, November 15, 2026 11:30 am to 3:00 pm.
This event uses all the same forestry roads the US Rangers train on. Tough YES, but not too tough for runners capable of covering the 13.1 miles. This course starts and finishes on the airfield at Camp Merrill. Almost all of the half marathon course is off-pavement on service roads that curl through the Appalachian Mountains, only feet from the Appalachian Trail. Challenge yourself with two grueling hills where America’s best soldiers are trained. Parking is abundant. Food and Beverage will be available at the on-post service Club, The Overhang, after the event. This includes beer and wine and a full menu. You can count on some active duty Rangers to be running the course. This is Veterans Day weekend and on Saturday, there will be festivities in Historic Downtown Dahlonega, including the annual Veterans Day parade and an all day music festival in the Park. Come and spend the weekend! Please visit (link) for further information and to register, or just buy a shirt and support our Ranger Vets.
Mountain Challenge - 5K OR 10K Plus Half Marathon
Sign up for two races - the 5K OR the 10K on Saturday, November 14th at Hancock Park AND the half marathon on Sunday, November 15th at Camp Merrill at 11:30am for an extra challenge.
Half Marathon Ranger Challenge Relay- 2 Person Teams (ONLY for ARMY RANGERS)
Active duty or retired Army Rangers compete as teams against other two person teams as a Half Marathon relay with the exchange point at approximately half way in the half.
*Pre-registration strongly requested for planning purposes. Walk-up registrants will not be guaranteed a T-shirt for the event.
10K Ranger Challenge (ONLY for ARMY RANGERS)
This division is only for Army Ranger competition one on one against other Rangers.
Half Marathon Ranger Challenge (ONLY FOR ARMY RANGERS)
This division is only for Army Ranger competition one on one against other Rangers.
Event Details:
SATURDAY, November 14 - Race Day Registration 5K and 10K - from 07:30-08:45am at Hancock Park
Race Start Times - 10K @ 9:00am and 5K @ 9:15am
SUNDAY, November 15th - Race Day Registration Half Marathon - from 10:30am to 11:15am at Camp Merrill
Race Start Time @ 11:30am - 3:00pm
Awards
5K awards - Overall Male/Female, Masters Male/Female and Age Groups 1st, 2nd and 3rd place starting at 10 and Under, 11-14, 15-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60 and Up
10K and Half Marathon awards - Overall Male/Female, Masters Male/Female and Age Groups 1st, 2nd and 3rd place starting at 14 and Under, 15-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60 and Up
Top overall male/female per category are recognized with a Custom Crafted Ranger Plaque
* Additional purchase for long sleeve t-shirts and hoodies!
Events
Weather
It's too far out for a forecast, so here's what weather on this date is normally like in the area. A race day forecast will replace this as race week approaches.
Typical High
62°
Typical Low
35°
Chance of Rain
31%
Based on US Climate Normals data from Cleveland, 13 mi from the venue.
Host City
Population
7,194
as of 2023
City Elevation
1,383 ft
Nearest Airport
PDK
DeKalb Peachtree Airport · 49 mi
Major Hub
ATL
Hartsfield Jackson Atlanta International Airport · 67 mi
Time Zone
Eastern Time
From Endurance Grid
A small town race. Lodging near the start could be limited, so book early.
Race Location
Your Next Start Line
Every finish line starts with a single decision. Claim your spot at Run For Rangers, put it on the calendar, and turn “someday” into a start date.
Coming Up
Dahlonega's 4th of July Firecracker 5K and Fun Run
Less than a mile away
Nogawild Safari Run
9 miles away
NOA 5K Run to End Domestic Violence
11 miles away
Gold Rush 5K
Less than a mile away
From Endurance Grid
This race spans more than one sport — here’s a guide to each, so you can understand what’s involved and decide if it’s the right fit. For course distances, logistics, and race-day specifics, always defer to the race organizer’s event page.
From 5K to marathon, running races are the most accessible entry point into endurance sport. There's a distance for every fitness level and a community at every start line.
Running off-road — dirt, singletrack, and mountain paths — from 5Ks to ultras. The terrain, not the pace, is the whole point.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Run For Rangers
Nov 14, 2026